Working Season in Colorado

Hi everyone, im heading over fron New Zealand to colorado for 3 months in december (on a J-1 visa). So far its been pretty difficult finding any work over this time. Ive applied for all the major resorts, and every reply has so far been that im not available for long enough. Problem is that we cant stay past march on a J-1. Does anyone know anywhere that may be looking for people for dec - late feb?

Also im really keen on staying in or around frisco for the snowkiting and vicinity of the resorts. I'll be heading over solo so it would be great to stay at a employees lodge or with others working in the area for a bit of fun. Are there any places or do you have to be employed first?

When you are over there, things should be different. If you front up before xmas, there'll be plenty of work. They like to see you (they are a bit traditional that way), too. Things get quiet in January but if you've had a job and done OK, you should be fine. Likewise, it's often easier finding accommodation when you're there. People often head for a hostel, and use that as a base to find something a bit more suitable.
On a J1, you have the freedom to look for work in the normal way.

Hi Rusty Guy,
Am seeking anything really.. A mountain job would be ideal because of the outdoor work, free skiing that comes with it + the workmates. Ive done alot of guitar tuition for groups of kids and think that this may transfer over for some skiing/snowboarding instructing. But i would take anything from being a lifty to retail/resturant/snowmaking.

If i do find a job offmountain i will prob seek a season pass at one of the mountains. Im guessing they are cheaper now? What mountain if you had to choose would be the best around winterpark/frisco area?

if you're interested in staying closer to a larger city, check out Eldora near Boulder - at least a couple of years ago they hired several J-1's. They participate in the real deal program, which gets you free lift tickets at most of the resorts in Colorado (doesn't include Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone, Breck or the Aspen resorts).

Hi Rusty Guy,
Am seeking anything really.. A mountain job would be ideal because of the outdoor work, free skiing that comes with it + the workmates. Ive done alot of guitar tuition for groups of kids and think that this may transfer over for some skiing/snowboarding instructing. But i would take anything from being a lifty to retail/resturant/snowmaking.

If i do find a job offmountain i will prob seek a season pass at one of the mountains. Im guessing they are cheaper now? What mountain if you had to choose would be the best around winterpark/frisco area?

rory,

WP and Frisco are not really close (1.5 hours drive). i'm surprised that non of the resorts have contacted you about work since you have a student (J1) visa. Before you buy a pass i'd keep looking for work because any position at a resort will include a pass. if you work at Vail, BC, Breck, or Keystone the pass will take you to any of those resorts. work at another resort and enjoy the real deal which includes a bunch of colorado mountains.

Breck often does a second round of hiring in February, in order to get people to teach the March vacation crowds. That's when I got hired a couple of years ago. About 1/3 of my hiring clinic group were from overseas. So showing up with previous teaching experience of any sort, with availability all during March, might be quite valuable. The other Summit County resorts might similarly be looking for more help around then as well.

Last year, Breck changed its hiring focus to look first for people who are good communicators, have friendly personalities, and have some experience teaching something even if it's not skiing. "We know we can teach someone to ski better - we want to know if someone we hire has the personality to teach something." The guitar instruction experience could well transfer over as long as you're a relatively decent skier (and like kids).

I'll be heading over solo so it would be great to stay at a employees lodge or with others working in the area for a bit of fun. Are there any places or do you have to be employed first?

Any feedback would be helpfull,

Cheers

Rory,

One of the issues that you need to think about early is lodging. There have been a number of stories in the local Summit County newspaper (Breck, Copper, Keystone area), http://www.summitdailynews.com/ , about the shortage of housing for seasonal employees.

Not for people at Eldora due, we were told, to reciprocity matters -- that is, no one from Aspen would want to ski Eldora. We were NOT able to get real deals for any of the 4 aspens - don't know about last year, tho', I moved over to Winter Park.

Cheers for the replies guys.. Ive secured a job in frisco and so now its just finding a room, which is like you say going to be a challenge. Im looking throught the summit daily and craigslist so fingers crossed i should find something. Otherwise if you know of anyone with a room i'd greatly appreciate it cheers.

I'll be getting either the copper or ski 3 season pass so might see some of you up there!

Ok i'll check that out for when i arrive,
I think i will have to try my luck at finding a place when i get there in Late Nov, as there arent any places advertising for single rooms. If anyones in the same situation and keen to find a 2br place let me know!

Not for people at Eldora due, we were told, to reciprocity matters -- that is, no one from Aspen would want to ski Eldora. We were NOT able to get real deals for any of the 4 aspens - don't know about last year, tho', I moved over to Winter Park.

That seems really strange. I've often heard things like that and later found out they weren't true. As near as I can tell, if you get the Real Deal there's no exclusions. I would call Aspen and ask them. Don't try to forge a different resort name - the Real Deal tickets get sent back to the home resort.

Not sure if this would work, but you could potentially get a Real Deal pass for Copper. Then call someone at Aspen and ask if they want to trade a Copper day pass for an Aspen employee comp ticket. Drive through Copper on your way to Aspen and pick it up. Lots of people like to get comps for other resorts so their husbands/wives/kids can ski with them.